Paper file



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet -1.

W. H. H. OLAGUE.

I PAPER FILE. No. 373,388. Egg Patented Nov. 15, 8'7.

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UNITED. STATES PATENT Denice.

WILLIAM H. CLAGUE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO PAUL J. SOHLIGHT AND LOVASSO FIELD, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

PAPER-FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 373,388, dated November 15, 1887.

Application filed May 2, 1885. Renewal July 15, 1887. Serial No. 244,420. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. H. OLAGUE, of Rochester, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Paper-Files,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention has reference to that class of bill -files or 'file-boxes which are commonly mounted in an inelosing-case or cabinet; and it is the aim of the invention to provide for the ready and convenient inspection of the papers contained in the file without the necessity of disconnecting or removing the latter from the case or cabinet.

To this end it consists, mainly, in constructing the cabinet and horizontally-sliding fileboxes in such manner that when the box is withdrawn it will interlock automatically at its rear end directly with the case or cabinet, so that it may remain supported in a horizontal position.

The invention further consists in the various details of stop devices or locking devices by downward to afford more convenient access to the upper ends of the papers'when the box is sustained outside of the cabinet.

It is to be distinctly understood that my improvements are applicable to file-boxes, drawersftrays, and other like receptacles used to confine papers, drawings, or other objects,and that the details of the stop devices may be variouslymodified,as will hereinafter appear,without changing essentially the mode of action or departing from the limits of my invention.

Figure 1 represents in perspective a portion of a file case or cabinet provided with my improvement, one of the file-boxes being shown in its outer or projected position, while the othersare shown within the case. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the cabinet and one of the file-boxes, showing the latter in its outer position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing a slightly modified construction. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a portion of the cabinet with my file-box therein. Fig.

5 is a vertical section through the same from front to rear. Fig. 6 is avertical longitudinal section showing the locking devices in still another form. Fig. 7 is a face view of the rear end of the file-boxes represented in the previous figure, showing the stop or suspension device thereon.

In the drawings, A represents a case or cabinet, which may be of any appropriate construction adapted to receive the file-boxes, 6o butin the presentinstance consisting of vertical and horizontal partitions by which the case is divided into a series of cells or pigeon'holes, each adapted to receive a single file-box.

B represents the file box, which may be of 6 any approved construction, but which in the present instance consistsv of a base-board, a, a rear end board, b, connected rigidly and vertically thereto, and a follower or pressureboard, 0, mounted onguides d and provided with locking mechanism, by which the papers may be confined in an upright position between its face andtheend board, I), commonly known as the tail-board.

The foregoing parts may be of any ordinary construction.

In applying my improvement in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, I provide each of the file-boxes at the top of its inner end or tail board with lockingpins e, projecting on opposite sides. In the top of the pigeon-hole or receptacle for the box I secure firmly on each side a small plate, 9, having on the inner face a groove, which extends forward and downward therein, as plainly represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The parts are so arranged that when the file-box is drawn forward and outward from the receptacle the pins 6 will ride forward and drop downward into the slots of the plates 9, thus limiting the forward movement of the box and sustainingthe same at the rear end, while at the same time the box is permitted to drop, slightly, so that its lower rear corner may bear against the front edge of the case or cabinet, as shown in Figs. 5 l and 2. This lower bearing, in connection with the stop or suspension device at the top, serves to maintainthe box in its extended position, so that it can neither escape from the case nor drop downward to apendent position.

\Vhen the box is thus sustained, the papers may be readily inspected and the followerboard manipulated as occasion may require.

In order to return the box to its position within the cabinet, it is only necessary to lift its rear end until its lower corner is out of engagement with the case and its pins out of engagement with the vertical portions of the slots, whereupon the box may be pushed inward to its original place.

It will be observed that the proper maintenance of the box in its horizontal position depends upon its interlocking at its rear end firmly with the case at two points, one above the other.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another simple form of these stop devices. In this case the pins are fixed to the case or cabinet at the sides of the box and near its top, and the rear end of the box provided on the two edges, at or near the top, with notched plates 9, which engage with the pins to check the box at the finish of its outward movement. Vhen these plates are employed, the lower edge of the box may drop against the front of the cabinet, as in the preceding example, or it may engage with a shoulder, h, secured to the ease, as shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 6 and 7 show still another form of the stop device. In this example I employ, instead of two stop devices at the sides of the box, a single stop device, 9, located midway between the sides of the box. As shown in Fig. 6, the stop consists of a hook-shaped plate, 9, secured rigidly in the top of the opening or pigeon-hole and open at its inner end. The rear end of the tail-board of the file-box is provided with a loop or stirrup, c, which enters and engages with the hook as the filebox is withdrawn. In this case the box drops at the rear end, as in the preceding example, and engages at its lower rear corner with a shoulder or stop formed in the front of the groove.

Itwill be perceived that the several stop devices shown are but modifications and equivalents of each other, and that they all act automatically with substantially the same effect to lock the rear end ofthe file-box rigidly to the cabinet as it is withdrawn therefrom, so as to maintain the box in its horizontal position.

In order to completely close the front of the opening or pigeon-hole in which the file-box is seated, I propose to provide the file-box with a front board, 121.. To permit the convenient inspection of the letters or papers, I propose to divide this front board transversely, and unite the upper portion to the lower by means of a hinge, as shown in Fig. 6, so that it may be turned downward and forward to expose the upper ends of the papers. This horizontal section may be provided with devices of any suitable character; but a satisfactory de vice for this purpose (shown in Fig. 6) consists of a lip or lips, a, secured to the hinged portion of the board and adapted to spring into engagement with the guides d, on which the follower-board is mounted.

I am aware that file-boxes mounted in cabinets have been provided with hooks, lugs, and

other devices by which they were automatically arrested when partially withdrawn, and permitted to tip downward to a pendent orupright position; and I am also aware that trays and drawers have been connected with an inclosingcase through intermediate slotted bars having a sliding motion in reference to the case, and also in reference to the drawer, and to such constructions I lay no claim; but I believe myself to be the first to construct a file-box and an inclosing-case in such manner that when the box is withdrawn it will be locked firmly to the case, so as to remain extended in a horizontal position, and to this construction I lay broad claim, regardless of the changes or variations in the minordetails. I am aware of the construction represented in Letters Patent granted to M. J. \Vine, No. 290.616, and I lay no claim thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of a case or cabinet, :1 file-box adjustable therein horizontally, and interlocking stops secured, respectively, to the front of the cabinet and the rear vertical part of the box at points above the bottom, said stops being in the same horizontal plane and constructed and arranged with relation to each other, substantially as before set forth, to permit the rear end of the box to drop slightly upon withdrawal from the cabinet, whereby the lower rear corner of the box overlaps a fixed part of the cabinet and the box is maintained in a horizontal position.

2. In combination with a case or cabinet, a contained file box adapted to slide horizontally therefrom and stops, as e g, secured in the same horizontal plane to the front of the cabinet and tail-board of the box at or near the top to arrest the onward movement of the box, and suspend the same at its upper rear corner directly from the top of the case with its lower rear corner seated against the front of the case or a shoulder thereon to retain the box in its horizontal position, substantially as described.

33. In combination with a case or cabinet and a file-box arranged to slide horizontally and wholly therefrom, (retaining its horizontal position,) suspending devices 0 and g, substantially as described, applied, respectively, to the rear end of the box and front of the cabinet at the top of each.

4. In combination with an inclosing case or cabinet, a sliding file-box having a divided front board to close the case, the lower part of said board hinged so that it may be turned forward to permit inspection of the papers.

5. In combination with the file-box having guides or arms (I, the hinged front board provided with lips 12 to engage the arms and retain the board in operative position.

\VlLLlAM H. H. OLAGUE.

Witnesses:

H. G. PHILLIPS, WM. GoMM. 

